You'll have more gas than usual immediately after having a colostomy, but this will slowly reduce as your bowel recovers. Once you've recovered from the operation, you should gradually be able to return to your previous exercise routine. Many medicines are designed to dissolve slowly in your digestive system. Having a colostomy should not alter the effectiveness of your usual medicine.

Above: The Coloplast Sensura Mio one piece system and the Hollister Moderma Flex one piece system. What is a Two Piece System? Drainable: means the end of the pouch has an opening in which output can be drained from. These usually applied to ileostomy bags, because their output will be thinner and more frequent.

After surgery, many people find their vaginas are much drier. Applying a lubricating jelly before sex may help.

However, different manufacturers do different things: Salt’s only do two piece in closed and drainable pouches, not for urostomies. And Dansac and Pelican only do one piece bags. NB: The samples I was sent were for drainable pouches, as I have an ileostomy. What is a One Piece System?Colostomy appliances are made from hypoallergenic materials to reduce skin irritation. They also contain special filters to prevent any unpleasant smells. Your prescription can either be taken to the pharmacist or sent to a specialist supplier, who will deliver the products. Colostomy irrigation A one piece system is a bag which has the pouch and baseplate fused together in the manufacturing process. All three types of stoma can use a one piece system. This style of system adds in flexibility but also adds in human error; especially for those with vision or dexterity issues. And whilst the adhesive two piece system is a hybrid of the two different systems working together – it gives a low profile with the added comfort of a one piece – it also increases the probability of a leak. And whilst the manufacturers assure users that you can remove the pouch and reapply or adjust it, if an error with placement occurs, it’s not a risk that some ostomates are willing to take. Important information

If a two piece system doesn’t suit you, don’t take this a failing. Take that as reassurance that they bag you currently use is working well and you have one less thing to worry about!Irrigation is not always possible. For example, it's not suitable for people with Crohn's disease or diverticulitis, or if you're having radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The baseplate can also be called a barrier or wafer; depending on who you talk to and where they come from. Two piece system are usually something that are experimented with after surgery and the stoma has settled down. It can take some dexterity and strength to get the two pieces of the system together.